Does The Meta Quest 3S Have Eye Tracking?

Does the Quest 3S have eye tracking? This question has intrigued gamers and tech enthusiasts since the headset was released. As virtual reality continues to evolve, eye-tracking technology has become one of the most talked-about features.

Meta has incorporated this technology into its higher-end models, like the Quest Pro, but it is noticeably absent from the Quest 3S. This absence raises questions about its purpose, the challenges of implementation, and its impact on the overall experience.

How Eye Tracking Works in VR Headsets

Eye tracking follows the movement of your eyes, allowing the system to understand where you are looking. This feature improves the accuracy of foveated rendering, where the graphical quality of the scene is optimized based on where the user’s eyes are focused.

The Quest Pro, Meta’s premium offering, has successfully integrated this feature, allowing for heightened realism and performance.

Why the Quest 3S Lacks Eye Tracking

Meta’s decision to omit eye tracking from the Quest 3S appears to be driven by several factors. The company has addressed this question in the past, especially concerning the Quest 3, which shares similar hardware with the 3S.

• Cost Considerations

Integrating eye tracking requires specialized sensors and processing power to handle the continuous data flow generated by eye movements. Adding this technology would increase the production cost of the headset.

For the Quest 3S, Meta likely wanted to keep the price point accessible for users looking for a more affordable VR experience. Adding eye tracking would likely have driven the price up, making the headset less attractive to consumers on a budget.

• Weight and Comfort Concerns

Including sensors and cameras to track eye movements would have added extra weight to the Quest 3S. Comfort is already a key concern for VR headsets, and making the device heavier could negatively impact the user experience.

Wearing a VR headset for a long time without adequate breaks can result in issues like neck strain, poor posture, and muscle fatigue, all due to the added weight of the equipment placed on the user's head. A heavier VR headset can only increase the risk of such occurrences. The lighter structure of the Quest 3S attempts to alleviate this issue.

The Quest 3S is designed to be lightweight and ergonomic, providing comfort for long gaming sessions. The addition of eye tracking would likely have made the headset bulkier, detracting from its appeal as a comfortable, easy-to-use device.

• Compatibility Challenges Between Pancake Lenses and Eye Tracking

The Quest 3S features pancake lenses, a more compact and efficient lens design compared to the thicker Fresnel lenses used in older models. However, integrating eye tracking with pancake lenses presents certain challenges.

The light refraction and the need for precise calibration can complicate the integration of this technology. Meta has stated that integrating eye tracking with pancake lenses requires overcoming significant technical hurdles.

How the Absence of Eye Tracking Impacts Your VR Experience

Without eye tracking, the Quest 3S lacks some advanced features found in headsets like the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro. One notable feature is foveated rendering, which allows the system to allocate processing power more efficiently by rendering the areas of the screen you are focusing on in greater detail. In the absence of eye tracking, this feature must rely on other methods to approximate where the user is looking, which may not be as effective in providing the same level of performance.

Another area that eye tracking impacts is avatar realism in social VR. Eye tracking enables avatars to make eye contact, enhancing the sense of presence in virtual spaces. Without this feature, avatars in the Quest 3S are restricted to basic movements and have limited facial expressions. While this may not be a dealbreaker for all users, it does impact the overall immersion of social VR interactions.

Quest 3S vs. Other VR Headsets: A Final Comparison

When comparing the Quest 3S to VR headsets like the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, the absence of eye tracking becomes more noticeable. Quest Pro and Vision Pro have integrated eye tracking as a core feature, offering a more advanced level of immersion and performance. However, the Quest 3S is designed as a more affordable option, sacrificing features like eye tracking to keep the price accessible to a wider audience.

While the Quest 3S lacks some high-end features, it still offers an excellent VR experience with its impressive display, fast refresh rate, and powerful processing capabilities. For users primarily interested in gaming and entertainment, the absence of eye tracking may not be as important as other aspects like graphics quality and comfort.

Enhancing Your VR Experience with KIWI Design

At KIWI Design, we understand the importance of a seamless VR experience. While the Quest 3S may not feature eye tracking, our Quest 3S accessories can help enhance comfort, performance, and usability.

Users looking to make the most of their Quest 3S may consider adding grips and other ergonomic accessories to ensure a more enjoyable and comfortable VR experience. Our G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips can improve your gameplay, offering improved control and comfort during extended sessions.